William Todd-Jones is Wild Connect’s Creative Director and one of the world’s foremost practical artists at the intersection of nature and performance — with four decades of work across Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning productions.
As a performer, puppet designer, movement consultant, and director at the high end of film, television & theatre, Todd’s been working in the entertainment industry for nearly forty years. Roles include: Goblins in Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth”, some Jessica Rabbit in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, Batman’s cape, Grawp in “Harry Potter V”, lots of Muppets, Woola in “John Carter” and recently establishing the Creature Fx department for the BBC/HBO TV series, “His Dark Materials”… acting as head of department and master puppeteer. This job involved creating a multitude of proxy Daemons and full-size Armoured Bear rigs. Many of the projects Todd has worked on have won Oscars, Emmys and Baftas.
Todd’s passion is the Natural World and helping people to positively engage with it. He is a longstanding patron of the wildlife charity, Save The Rhino International and has been involved with conservation projects throughout his life.
Whenever possible, he uses his art ‘in the service of the environment’ …from Arctic to Africa, polar bears to stag beetles. His goal being to draw attention to humankind’s impact on the planet and to have fun while doing so. In 1994, he walked across Kenya and climbed Kilimanjaro in a rhinoceros costume to raise awareness and monies for schools in Africa.
Todd’sTEDx talk on Muppets & Mussels